In the blink of an eye, it was already the first month of the third year of Yongxi's reign. Zhao Weiji, who took advantage of the first month to celebrate the New Year, temporarily returned to Bianjing to rest and reunite with his family, was not doing well at this time.

The reason is very simple. Bad news came from within the Song Dynasty. On the second day of the first lunar month, it was reported that Yizhou was suffering from a locust plague.

The raging locusts not only caused damage to food crops, but also the anti-war faction began to prepare for action. The last time Tengu Shiyue was deceived by Li Fang, this time the locusts occurred within the Song Dynasty. Isn't this a warning from God?

Something happened inside the Liao Kingdom that the Song Dynasty didn't know about. Over there, General Yelu Xiezhen of the Liao Kingdom conquered the Jurchen tribes and returned to the court with a great victory. He captured a large number of Jurchen people and horses. They were originally known as iron cavalry. At this time, the Liao Kingdom obtained hundreds of thousands of horses from the Jurchens, making it even more powerful.

Although Zhao Weiji didn't know about the Liao Kingdom's victory over the Jurchens, the news about the locusts made him feel a little uneasy. Is history still unchangeable?

As his wife, Chai Yu naturally noticed Zhao Weiji's uneasiness, and then asked: "Why do you feel uneasy about your husband? Why don't you tell me about it?"

Although Zhao Weiji could not tell his wife clearly because he knew the history and knew that the Song army would be defeated in the next war, but when asked by his wife, Zhao Weiji still gave the most reasonable answer under the current circumstances: "I am worried about the Northern Expedition. , maybe the locusts in Yizhou are a bad sign."

"Please relax, husband. After all, our Song Dynasty has been preparing for a long time. And with my husband's new magic weapon, we will definitely return in triumph."

"I can only accept your good words." Although he said so, Zhao Weiji still didn't calm down in his heart.

Before the Lantern Festival was over, the Song Dynasty was already preparing to start a war.

On the night of the eleventh day of the first lunar month, it is said that there was a red-red air cluster in the north that formed like a city wall and did not disperse until dawn.

The war ministers of the DPRK and China used this excuse to write to Taizong Zhao Guangyi, saying that the rising red air in the north was evidence of civil strife in Liao and it was a good time for the Northern Expedition.

Taizong Zhao Guangyi took advantage of the situation and ordered the Northern Expedition.

At this moment, when the Northern Expedition was inevitable, the anti-war faction decided to make a last-ditch effort. Li Zhishang, the political advisor, spoke out to dissuade Taizong, but even though he threatened to die, he still did not change Taizong's mind.

Thus, Yongxi's Northern Expedition recorded in history books will officially begin.

…

Since the Northern Expedition was about to begin, Zhao Weiji, who held a military position, had no choice but to say goodbye to his wife and rush back to Zhenzhou during the New Year.

Shortly after Zhao Weiji returned to Zhenzhou, he received the first order from Zhao Guangyi for the Northern Expedition.

Taizong ordered Cao Bin to deploy for the front army, horse, foot and naval forces of Youzhou Daoxing camp, and Cui Yan to deploy for the deputy capital. He sent troops to the direction of Bazhou as the East Route Army.

Then he ordered Mi Xin to deploy for the northwest capital and Du Yangui to deploy for the deputy capital and send troops to Xiongzhou.

Immediately afterwards, he ordered Tian Chongjin to deploy Feihu for Dingzhou Road. Since Feihu was just north of Zhenzhou, Zhao Weiji was incorporated into Tian Chongjin's headquarters and became Tian Chongjin's deputy general.

This order can be said to be a huge blow to Zhao Weiji. In the end, Zhao Guangyi still did not trust him at the critical moment. And at this moment, Zhao Weiji had another thought filling his heart, which was: "Is the ability of history to correct errors really true?" So strong? This Tian Chongjin was originally the commander of the central army of the Northern Expedition in history, and it was he who led the troops north out of Dingzhou. Thinking of this, Zhao Weiji couldn't help but shudder, could this war still be like history?"

After the order was issued, Zhao Weiji summoned his confidants in Zhenzhou for a meeting: "I didn't expect that the officials still didn't trust me at the critical moment. If I are asked to serve as Tian Zhongjin's deputy general, my actions will be restricted."

"What should we do?" Li Jiguang was the first to speak, because he knew that if Zhao Weiji's actions were restricted, it would disrupt the deployment that had been planned for such a long time.

"There is nothing we can do for now. Does any of you know anything about Tian Chongjin?" Zhao Weiji asked.

After everyone was stunned for a while, a military general named Chen Ran spoke up: "As far as I know, General Tian was born in the military. He is highly skilled in martial arts, loyal and brave, but he is not a scholar. He has very little knowledge in battle strategy."

As soon as he heard Chen Ran's description of Zhao Weiji, he knew in his heart that Tian Zhongjin was just a man with well-developed limbs and a simple mind, so it would be easy to deal with him.

"Okay, I know. Now we can only take one step at a time and lead the army to Dingzhou to join General Tian."

After saying this, Zhao Weiji dismissed the meeting, and then ordered the troops to assemble and set off.

After arriving in Dingzhou, I found out that your sister Chen Ran did not fully describe Tian Chongjin. This Tian Chongjin is simple-minded, but he is so exclusive that he will not listen to the opinions of anyone except his own confidants.

Zhao Weiji, who had just arrived in Dingzhou, wanted to introduce the characteristics and strengths of his army to Tian Chongjin, but was directly interrupted by Tian Chongjin.

"Your Majesty, you don't need to explain anything. Your army now belongs to me. I don't need you to provide any opinions or suggestions. I have my own staff, so you only have to carry out the orders I give."

Tian Zhongjin's words almost made Zhao Weiji's lungs explode with anger. No one has ever spoken to him like this until now. This guy is a stick. History records that he won first and then lost. How did he do it?

Of course Zhao Weiji didn't know the reason, but if he heard the battle meeting on the Liao side, he would know.

…

Just when the Song army was preparing to march, the Liao Kingdom had also begun combat strategies.

The protagonist of this combat meeting of the Liao Kingdom was actually Yelu Mo.

Although the last operation damaged the general, even Brother Yelu Xiu had to admit that it was an accident. He still recognized Yelu Mo's combat ability.

This war is crucial to the Song Dynasty. Only Yelumo has a record of fighting against the Song Dynasty in recent times and has won a victory. Only he knows what the new weapons of the Song army are like. What's more, he was in Nanjing.

Having mastered the entire intelligence system under Han Derang, he had a considerable understanding of the national conditions of the Song Dynasty.

So on Han Derang's recommendation, Yelumo became the protagonist of this combat meeting.

"Because the Song army is powerful and has new weapons, it would be unfavorable for us to start a war directly on the border. At the beginning of the war, the Song army must have been vigorous and focused. Coupled with the power of the new weapons, it will definitely have a great impact on our Daliao army.

A big threat.”

"Then how are you going to respond?" At this time, the Liao general Yelu Xiezhen on the side spoke.

"Luring the enemy deep into the enemy's territory and waiting for work at ease."

"Oh? Tell me the specific details." The person speaking at this moment was Brother Yelvxiu, another general.

"After the war begins, we quickly abandon the border cities and retreat the army to the vicinity of Nanjing. Let the Song army gain the advantage first."

"Will this make others more ambitious?" Queen Mother Xiao, who was also standing by, asked.

"Although the morale of the Song Army will be improved by doing this, it will also make the Song Army relax its vigilance. Moreover, the Song Army's goal is to capture Yanyun. Once the city is occupied, troops will be sent to guard it, which will also weaken the Song Army's strength.

Moreover, once it penetrates deep into the Liao border, the Song army will definitely face the vast plains near Nanjing in the Liao Dynasty. This will also be of great help to the performance of our cavalry. Moreover, going deep into the Liao border will also lengthen the Song army's supply line and increase the number of soldiers.

of fatigue.

Another point is that the Song Army set out from several coalition forces this time. We can use the extremely strong maneuverability of the cavalry to concentrate our superior forces to defeat the Song Army one by one. Moreover, the Song Dynasty army has a characteristic. Once it is defeated along the way, it will attack other groups.

It has a huge impact on morale on the road.”

After Yelumo introduced his strategy, everyone present fell into deep thought.

After a while, Queen Mother Xiao spoke first: "I agree with Yelumo's plan."

Then Brother Yelvxiu also spoke: "I agree too."

Yelu Xiezhen had no objections, and Han Derang, who was already aware of the plan, basically agreed with Yelu Mo's strategy.

Yerümo's strategy began to be implemented without any hindrance.

Just when the Liao Kingdom was preparing to face the enemy, they received a new order from Emperor Zhao and Song: Zhao Guangyi appointed Pan Mei as the capital of Yunzhou, Shuozhou, Yingzhou and other states, and Yang Ye as the deputy capital.

Yanmen set out to attack the Liao Kingdom.

After receiving the news, the Liao Kingdom decided to let its generals respond separately.

In the end, Brother Yelu Xiu chose Cao Bin and Mi Xin's side, and Yelu Xiezhen chose Pan Mei and Yang Ye's side. Empress Dowager Xiao led the Liao Shengzong imperial chariot to personally conquer the war, and Han Derang sat in the center to provide support.

Yelu Mo did not choose to follow Han Derang to the Chinese Army, but chose to follow Yelu Xiezhen. The reason was that Yelu Mo thought that based on Zhao Weiji's relationship with Yang Ye, he should be among the Western Army of the Song Army. Although he defeated Yang Ye last time

Yanping, but actually did not take any advantage over Zhao Weiji. Instead, Zhao Weiji's men shot the general and rescued Yang Yanping. Yelu Mo was unconvinced in his heart, and he planned to defeat Zhao Weiji on the frontal battlefield this time.

shame.

But what he didn't expect was that Zhao Weiji would be under Zhonglu Tian Chongjin's tent, and his life would be very miserable.

…

When his eyes returned to Zhao Weiji, his life during this period was even worse than when he first arrived in Daizhou. Tian Chongjin completely ignored the people in Zhenzhou.

Zhao Weiji could only comfort himself and said: "It would be better if we Zhenzhou people are not needed, so that I can preserve my superior strength."

Just when Zhao Weiji was living a miserable life, Cao Bin in the east was the first to receive good news.

Cao Bin conquered the south city of Gu'an with unstoppable momentum. Cao Bin did not encounter any decent resistance along the way, and thus achieved his first great victory. When the news came, the entire Song Dynasty was boiling, and soldiers from other roads were excited.

Okay. It turns out that the Liao Kingdom is so vulnerable. Since Cao Bin can capture the southern city of Gu'an without a fight, then we can too.

As a result, all other roads accelerated their pace of progress.

But there was one person in the entire Song Dynasty who was not happy, and that was Zhao Weiji. Because the pace of history progressed in this way, starting from Cao Bin's defeat of Annan City, the Song army had been unstoppable in the early stages of the war.

Zhao Weiji was not sure whether it was a coincidence or the trajectory of history had already begun, but he soon received the second confirmation.

The middle route army arrived at the foot of Feihu City.
Chapter completed!